These Are the 10 Best Long-Lasting Nail Polishes, According to Experts

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Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

In our busy world, finding time for self-care can sometimes feel impossible, so when you are able to carve out an hour for a manicure, you want to be sure that it lasts. While there are certainly nail polish options out there that guarantee longevity—like gel or acrylic—sometimes, you just want a straightforward polish that won't chip after a day. To help you and your hands, we asked nail artists and manicurists to share the best long-lasting nail polishes at varying price points so that you can achieve your best manicure yet.

Shopping off this expert-approved list is your best bet, since navigating the beauty aisle can be confusing. You'll find that many companies claim their products are long-lasting, but determining if this is really true can be tricky for the average consumer, explains Miss Pop Nails, a celebrity and editorial nail artist. "Long-wear polishes often are advertised as such, but then again, so are all nail polishes. Also, the use of the word 'gel' is nearly meaningless," she says. "The key to knowing if something is truly a gel is if you need to cure it under an LED light. If you're not curing it, it's a nail polish."

To take some of the guesswork out of long-wear lacquer, take a look at our experts' top long-lasting recommendations, below.

The Best Long-Lasting Nail Polishes

• Best Overall: OPI Infinite Shine

• Best Gel-Like: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Duo

• Best Splurge: Chanel Le Vernis

• Best Nude: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish

• Best Sheer: Essie ″Sheer Silhouette″ Gel Couture Nail Polish

• Best Color Selection: Jin Soon Quintessential Nail Lacquer

• Best Environmentally-Friendly: Zoya "Naked Manicure" Nail Polish Kit

• Best Packaging: Smith & Cult Nail Polish

• Best Pigmented Option: Color Club Nail Polish

• Best Drugstore Find: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

• Best Ingredients: Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Every Type of Nail Polish

Best Overall: OPI Infinite Shine Longwear Nail Polish Base Coat & Top Coat Duo

"I am obsessed with OPI Infinite Shine," says Miss Pop Nails, adding that she regularly turns to this line—and as someone who works with her hands, she knows it goes the distances. Better yet, the shades are the same as their classic lacquer, so making the switch is easy. "The colors are highly pigmented, so I feel like I get great coverage even with one coat, but I add two for wear," she says. "The key is to also use the system's base and top-coat [pictured here] to get the best results."

Best Gel-Like: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Duo

Another one of Miss Pop Nail's favorite lines is Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab, which creates the look and feel of a gel manicure sans the curing process. "I'm a big fan of the base and top coat duo that turn any nail lacquer into long wear," she says. "There are also shades under the Gel Lab label, but again, they are not light-curing gel, so they are truly lacquer."

Best Splurge: Chanel Nail Polish in Perle Blanche

Searching for a neutral nail color with subtle shine? Opt for Chanel's Perle Blanche hue, says manicurist and nail expert Aja Walton. "It's not your average white pearl shade!" she says. "It has a duo-chrome pink shift that's a gorgeous beach vacation nail color for both fingers and toes."

Best Nude: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Brand New Day

Walton is also a fan of Deborah Lippmann's Gel Lab Pro, line, but calls out one shade in particular: "This beige color has eliminated any pink or white tones. It's the sheerest nude I own that lasts for weeks," she says.

Best Universal Sheer: Essie "Sheer Silhouette" Gel Couture Nail Polish in Corset

If you regularly paint your nails, you likely know how difficult identifying the perfect sheer nude truly is. It's even more challenging to find a barely-there neutral that works across all skin tones. Enter this shade from Essie, which is as long-lasting as it is universal. "This is a sheer tan nude that is universally flattering, a staple in my collection, and the most requested for editorial manicures," Walton says.

Best Color Selection: Jin Soon Quintessential Nail Lacquer in Nostalgia

According to Miss Pop Nails, Jin Soon's lacquers go the distance—but the line's broad color range might make you want to change up your manicure before your current one chips. "Jin Soon is good quality, has a lovely bottle brush, and has fabulous, trendy colors," she says. We're particularly partial to this nude-meets-blush shade, which won't show cracks as easily as darker formulas.

Best Environmentally-Friendly: Zoya "Naked Manicure" Nail Polish Kit

Zoya Naked Manicure is the no make-up, make-up look for your nails. "It's a sheer tint that strengthens, shines, and brings out the natural blush tones of your nail bed," Miss Pop Nails says. "If you're someone who loves a sheer nude, a buff to a shine, or even just a clear coat, this could be your new and improved go-to. I use the Pink and Buff perfector on set all the time."

Zoya also has great products and a sustainable ethos to match. "They are very earth and health-conscious, in their polish and in their packaging," she says. "Plus you can choose a wide, cuticle-hugging brush or a slim, nail art-friendly bottle brush, depending on your preference."

Best Packaging: Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Suburban Warrior

Smith & Cult's offerings are as sleek as they are long-lasting. And while the color you choose won't necessarily affect how long a manicure lasts, Miss Pop Nails likes the brand's Suburban Warrior hue—and its packaging. "I just love the bottle. It's so chic," she says. "It's prettier than most fragrance bottles!"

Best Pigmented Option: Color Club Nail Polish in Harp On It

Need a formula that's extremely pigmented (which translates to better wear and durability) and also out-of-this-world? Miss Pop Nails recommends Color Club's holographic silver formula, Harp On It. "The polish is highly pigmented, which is perfect for getting coverage when you're pressed for time," she says.

Best Ingredients: Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer in Like Camel

A long-lasting lacquer doesn't have to be chemical-filled. "Our polishes are all 10-free and toxic-free while still maintaining its lasting power," says Mabelyn Martin, creative director of Paintbox. "Applied onto a well-prepped nail and with daily use of cuticle oil, this polish lasts a solid week."